Candidate for
Board Member; Templeton Unified School District

In order to move closer to accomplishing the District's goals, it is important that bridges for better communication be built. Staff needs to feel that their work and opinions are valued. Parents need to be informed of important issues facing our students and policy decisions affecting those issues. Any person within the District's structure should feel welcome to present their ideas and feel they can approach the Board and be heard and not feel that decisions are made regardless of public input. When diverse involvement is not sought or garnered, the threat of losing the staff and public's faith and trust becomes real. After all, we are elected to represent the voice of the people.

In nearly 34 years of public service, I have learned the importance of consensus building and collaboration by those who have a stake in a particular issue. I would use my experience, training and leadership skills to provide an understanding and application of consensus building and collaboration with other Board members.

Specific areas where I would attempt to integrate into the current `goals and objectives' include: greater awareness of substance abuse in the middle and high schools; greater communication link between the parents and the school sites (hoping for greater public involvement at the Board meetings); integrate a minimum number of community service hours required at both the middle and high schools.